Outside of the college radio circuit, most people in the U.S. who are aware of Tino Dico know her as a vocalist for ambient mood-makers Zero 7. But in her native Denmark, she’s known mainly as a solo artist, and an award-winning one at that.

Brooklynvegan has a nice writeup on Keren Ann, for those needing an introduction. Worth noting that the “Not Going Anywhere” album she released in 2004–and that I liked quite a bit–is her first English-language release. She’s been out and about for awhile in her native France.

It’s the annual ritual of music journalists everywhere: the end-of-year best list. My editor at liveDaily.com asked for a top ten, but the stacks of CDs in the office were too tall to limit my personal list to just that.

Working through a bout of allergy / sinus issues most of the day, I was on the fence about venturing into clubland to see Bob Schneider and opening act Aslyn. An invite from Aslyn’s publicist made the choice a lot easier – you don’t take comp tix for granted.